Tornado devastates Glückstadt and nearby districts, damaging dozens of buildings in Germany

On the evening of 26 July 2026, a tornado – described by the German Weather Service as a windhose – moved from the Elbe into Glückstadt, Schleswig‑Holstein, and then through the surrounding districts of Steinburg and Pinneberg.

The storm toppled trees, ripped roofs off 40‑50 houses, broke windows, lifted a 40‑foot container and damaged an overhead railway line, causing temporary rail service interruptions. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters, the Technisches Hilfswerk and local volunteers carried out a large‑scale clean‑up. Damage estimates run into six‑ to seven‑figure euros. The Deutscher Wetterdienst had warned of strong gusts up to 70 km/h before the event.